fish hooks

Question
do fish hooks that are left in a fish because they are lodged too deep , dissolve in 24 hrs. or less ?

Answer
Hi William,

I don't know if there has ever been a study done on how long it takes a fish to absorb a hook left in place.  I'm sure it depends on the diameter of the wire and the coating or material that the hook is made from.

That said, I know that it takes a lot longer than 24 hours.  In fact, even with a light wire hook I'm sure it takes weeks if not longer for that fish to dissolve the hook.  

I have caught many fish in my life that have had either hooks or jigs left in their mouth.  In some cases I could get an accurate guess at how long they had been in there.  For instance, I have caught lake run steelhead in late summer with egg pattern flies in their mouth.  I know that those fished were hooked by fly fishermen while those fish were in the tributaries in late winter or early spring.  Six months later that hook is still in place.

If a fish is gut hooked it probably gets eaten up faster than throat hooked, but I still believe it will take weeks if not longer.

Good fishing!